Do Video Games Enhance Competencies & Skills? Study Case: Civil Engineering Students

Authors

  • Rodrigo Urcid Puga Tecnologico de Monterrey
  • Romeo Ballinas-González Tecnologico de Monterrey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6552-3393
  • Jorge-Arturo Rodríguez-Vázquez

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecgbl.18.1.2687

Keywords:

Higher Education, Video games, Game Based Learning (GBL), Educational Innovation, Students, Skills

Abstract

The following article is a text that shows the relevance of including video games as part of an academic technique that promotes coexistence, communication, teamwork, develop some skills, competencies, and creativity among members of the university community -professors and students-. The objective of this research is to show the results obtained in a dynamic organized by the Civil Engineering department of a private university in Puebla, Mexico. The idea is to hold a private session and play “Call of Duty: Warzone II”. It should be noted that with this activity the students can learn a specific content, in this case, the analysis of a hydraulic press, how it is built and how it works. In addition, the activity carried on, helped to create a better bond between teachers and students, but above all, showed the possibilities to generate greater interest in learning and to get the students actively involved in one topic. The theoretical framework on which this research lies in the following topics: Game-Based Learning -GBL-, innovative education focused on video games as community generators, and the importance of the development of certain skills among college students. The methodology that this study has, is quantitative. Particularly, a questionnaire -Likert scale-, is carried out to the students who participated in this dynamic. The main results show that the people who were in the virtual session are excited to interact under another type of scenarios that goes beyond the classroom, and that “breaking” the barrier between teacher and alumni becomes a differentiating and innovative element. In educational matters, they consider that the learning obtained from a video game is something that they had not contemplated; Added to this, the students ensure that working as a team, communicating their needs and doubts between peers, and getting involved in this kind of forums helps generate greater interest in engineering and acquire new knowledge. Finally, it can be concluded that video games nowadays are an indispensable tool not only to foster an online community but to take the teaching and learning process to another level.

Author Biographies

Rodrigo Urcid Puga, Tecnologico de Monterrey

Rodrigo Urcid-Puga. Ph.D in Strategic Planning. Since 2013 is full time professor-researcher at Tecnologico de Monterrey. Teaches at undergraduate and graduate levels; Supervises doctoral and master's theses. Member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (Level 1). Lines of research: educational innovation, communication and strategic planning and analysis of audiovisual products.

Romeo Ballinas-González, Tecnologico de Monterrey

Romeo Ballinas-González. Civil Engineer with a Master's in Project Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Doctoral studies at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Full-time professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Puebla, since 2013, teaching hydrology, hydraulic works, and geomatics. Member of ASCE, CMAA, and Mexican Hydraulic Association.

Jorge-Arturo Rodríguez-Vázquez

Bachelor in Civil Engineering. Works as an independent consultant. His main research lines are: hydraulic, water procesing and building materials.

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Published

2024-10-07